Electrophilic Substitution in lndoles. Part-1: Reaction of 3-Methyl Indole with Sulphuryl Chloride

Varian Associates, Palo Alto, California-94303, U.S.A.

Skatole (I) on treatment with sulphuryl chloride in presence of acetic acid underwent interesting substitution and rearrangement reactions to afford four new oxindole compounds, 3,5,7-trichloro-Imethyl oxindole (II), 3,5-dichloro-3-methyl oxidole (III), 3-hydroxy-5,7-dichloro-3-methyl oxindole (IV) and 3-hydroxy-5-chloro­3-methyl oxindole (V).